C.
Option Three.
LOCSEN
SECRET
UK EYES A
Gurkha battalions would be the first
and second to be withdrawn, leaving a Gurkha and a UK
battalion with the intention of reducing to a final
presence comprising the UK battalion group only. Both the
Gurkha and UK battalions would ultimately have to be
unaccompanied and some relocations would be necessary.
Options One and Two have the advantages of avoiding both the
cost of relocating the UK battalion and of maintaining a succession
of roulement battalions. However, both options assume that the PRCG would accept a break in the continuity of the UK military presence which they might not - and could be affected by
decisions relating to the future of the Bde of Gurkhas. Option Three is considered to provide the best basis for ensuring an efficient and effective military presence although it may- prove to be the most expensive solutions
ARMY SUPPORT UNITS
-
53. The rundown of Army supporting arms and services (a full list
of garrison units is at Annex should be linked but need
not be rigidly tied to planned battalion withdrawals. The
major areas of operational interest include the provision of
Engineer, Signals, Transport, Supply and Maintenance support.
These, and medical aspects are dicouseed in Annex Es Whilst
it is possible to incorporate all support and specialist units in the initial plan, each will require special study once the key elements of the battalion rundown have been agreed.
THE NAVY PLAN
RN HONG KONG SQN PATROL CRAFT (PC)
54. The RN Hong Kong Sqn currently operates, inter alia, 5 purpose-built Peacock Class PC. Details of the funding,
operations, maintenance and roles of these vessels are contained
in Annex G. The PG are the RN's only permanent presence in
the Far East and they participate regularly in FPDA exereises
and conduet visits to countries on the western rim of the
26 UK EYES A
SECRET
X